There comes a point in every creators career where they have to decide it’s time to release whatever it is they’ve been working on.

But for a lot of creators, that can sometimes be the hardest part of the project.

It’s not that they don’t want to put it out into the world. I believe it comes down to the fear of criticism and judgement, and by making something perfect in theory, they can avoid it.

But eventually there’s a moment where you have to stop asking, is it perfect? And start accepting that it’s good enough.

I can’t recall where I read it, but I remember seeing a quote about how by not putting what you’ve created into the world, you’re depriving them of the best parts of yourself.

And who knows, you might be surprised at how well it turns out.

George Lucas rewrote the script for Star Wars multiple times because he felt it wasn’t good enough. He kept tweaking and refining until he finally gave in and filmed the movie anyways.

It would go on to become one of the most successful films in history.

J.R.R. Tolkien spent over a decade writing and rewriting his book Middle-earth. He worked on revising languages, maps, and characters. And even delayed publication many times over because he felt he needed more time to make it perfect.

Eventually, his publisher and the world was ready for his book, and he had to release it.

It became one of the most beloved works of fiction ever written.

Eric Barone spent nearly five years creating his first iteration of Stardew Valley and kept delaying the release because he just wanted to “get it right.” He spent a lot of his time polishing tiny details like music, dialogue, and artwork. But the world wanted to see what he had to offer, so he released it.

Today, Stardew Valley has sold over 50 million copies and is one of the most successful indie games every created.

These stories might not be the outcome for everyone, but as a creator, it’s not necessarily about how successful your work is, it’s about the value and joy people gain from it.

Whether you’re creating music, art, clothes, woodwork, or even food; being able to stop and say, “this is good enough” is one of the best traits you can possess as a creator.

I know this too well. I’ve delayed my own book for over a year simply because it wasn’t good enough. But there came a point to where it wasn’t about being perfect for everyone, rather, being perfect for those that need it.

And if you want to see it first hand, It’s Not As Bad As You Think comes out tomorrow on March 31st, 2026.

It might not be perfect. But that’s why there’s always the next one.

Until next time,
Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I’m Currently Reading - I’m still reading Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. A bestselling book on the perfect morning routine that you should adopt all before 8am.

Quote Of The Week - “Sometimes the ideas that least match our expectations are the most innovative.” — Rick Rubin